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Disappointed Hyndman says FCD can play better

FRISCO, Texas -- Schellas Hyndman is someone who wears his emotions on his sleeve. That’s why it wasn’t hard to tell the FC Dallas coach was less than pleased about how his side tied Colorado 2-2 at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night, even though they made some history in the process.

“Today, I didn’t think we had a great game. We were winning and we let them back,” Hyndman said. “We’re not happy with that.”

Dallas extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games, a new MLS record for a team within a single season. The mark also ties the all-time mark set by the Columbus Crew, who set the record in 2004 and the beginning of the 2005 season.

But they coughed up a 2-1 lead in the second half thanks to a goal from Colorado’s Jeff Larentowicz, leaving the FCD manager to lay some blame on his team, despite the historic result.

“I think our midfield was average today. When you have that many players in the midfield and they’re not controlling a ball and moving the ball, it’s not going to be a good day for you,” Hyndman said. “I think players need to pick it up some. If we want to get ourselves on a good run in the playoffs, we’ve got to do the things that we do well. I don’t think we did that tonight.”

Several FCD starters agreed with their coach that this wasn’t their finest hour.

“It was one of those strange games. We came out a bit flat. I don’t know what it was but we’ll take the point,” midfielder Atiba Harris said.

David Ferreira scored Dallas’ second goal of the night, but still walked away disappointed.

“The team was passive,” he said through an interpreter. “We were not attacking and didn’t have any ideas. The streak continues, so that’s a good thing. I’m kind of upset because we didn’t play the way we have the last couple of games. The only good thing about this is we continue the streak.”

FCD were dealt a blow at halftime when second-year center back George John had to come off with a tight hamstring. He had made his first start since Sept. 4 and losing him meant Jackson had to move from holding mid to center back.

“We had to take him [John] out and I think you saw what happened,” Hyndman said. “We had no answers for [Conor] Casey, a lot of balls that were very dangerous by him and Omar [Cummings]. I thought they outplayed us in the second half.”

Even though this was John’s first game back, the original plan was for him to go the distance and play the full 90.

“The original plan was for him to play the whole game. He’s been through his tests. He’s been through the recovery,” Hyndman said. “He felt if he had gone any longer, he’d end up pulling a muscle. In safety, we decided to pull him out.”

FCD will get some good news Sunday as center back Ugo Ihemelu, who has missed the last 10 games after suffering a concussion against Philadelphia on Aug. 8, returns to the field. He will play in a reserve game on Sunday morning against the Rapids.